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App Store apps are deployed through Apple’s Volume Purchase Program (VPP), which lets you purchase app licences in bulk and push them to devices without requiring individual Apple IDs from employees.

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Platform compatibility

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When to use

  • The app is available on the Mac App Store or iOS App Store
  • You want Apple to manage installer updates automatically
  • You need to deploy apps to supervised iOS/iPadOS devices

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Prerequisites

  • An Apple Business account
  • VPP connected to the cockpit

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Connect your content token

1

Download a content token (VPP) in Apple Business

In Apple Business, go to Preferences > Payments & Billing > Apps & Books. Under Content Tokens, click Download next to the location you want to use.
Never connect the same content token to two MDMs simultaneously. This causes conflicts and may remove apps from devices. If you’re migrating from another MDM, see the Migrate from another MDM tab.
2

Import the token

  1. Go to MDM > Software > Add app > App Store (VPP).
  2. Select the “No Team” scope.
  3. Upload the content token file.
3

Add licences in Apple Business

Before deploying an app, ensure you have enough licences:
  1. In Apple Business, go to Apps and Books.
  2. Search for the app and purchase the required number of licences.
  3. Assign the licences to the location linked to your content token.
Licences are automatically reassigned when a device is unenrolled.
  • A content token is valid for one year after it is created.
  • It becomes invalid if the password of the Managed Apple Account that created it is changed.
  • Recommendation: create a dedicated Managed Apple Account with a custom role limited to the “Assign licences for Apps and Books” permission, so token validity does not depend on an individual’s password changes or departure.

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Available options

  • Install automatically — the app is silently pushed to all targeted devices (macOS, iOS, iPadOS).
  • Self-service — the app appears in the Self-Service portal for employees to install on demand (macOS, iOS, iPadOS).
  • Install during Zero Touch — the app is pre-installed during device provisioning (macOS only).
How employees open the Self-Service portal depends on the platform.
  • macOS — from the Fleet Desktop icon in the menu bar.
  • iOS / iPadOS — from the portal’s web URL. Add it to the Home Screen with the Web Clips control and its Add the Self-Service web clip option.
On iOS and iPadOS the portal is also the only way to restart a VPP install after the employee dismisses the App Store confirmation prompt — reopen the app in the portal and tap Retry.

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How to add

1

Go to MDM > Software and click Add app

2

Select App Store (VPP) and a platform

Choose macOS or iOS/iPadOS.
3

Find the app

Browse or search the App Store catalog.
4

Configure deployment options

5

Click Add software

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App patching